Photo Scavenger Hunt

On Swap-Bot, there is a Photo Scavenger Hunt that I thought sounded fun. There was a list of ten items from which participants could choose five that they wanted to photograph. (I chose eight items since I had images for them.) 

In addition to the photograph, a little bit of information (e.g., where did I take it, is it part of a series of photos) should be included.

Black and White Photo

This photo is of firefighters from two local fire departments doing a waterball competition at our community festival a couple of weeks ago. There are three firefighters on each team and they are trying to move a metal ball past a mark on the opposing side. If they do, they score a point. 

It is very challenging for the firefighters to see where the metal ball is because of the water that is spraying in all different directions around them. There was a large crowd around the rink cheering the team. It was a lot of fun to watch. 

Something Yellow

This is one of many Maximillian sunflowers that are growing in the butterfly garden in the backyard. The pollinators - especially bumblebees - love these sunflowers. As the days and evenings get cooler, I'm noticing the bumblees' bodies slower down...almost as if they are sleeping in the center of the flower. 

Someone Working

This is my team of volunteers who were marking the booth space for one of the vendors at Taco Daze - the major fundraiser/community event for our Lions club earlier this month. 

There was a little break in the rain, so we worked quickly to get as much as we could marked. Thankfully, just as we were finishing up with marking the last vendor space, it began to rain. 

A Plate of Food

This was the first dinner that we had when we went to London. It was semi-fast-food Mexican dinner that was quite tasty. 

Although this was a good meal, what I enjoyed more while in London were the Indian meals. They were so flavorful and unlike anything that I can find near where I live.

A Wild Animal

We have been seeing anywhere from one to three deer almost every day during September. The deer walk basically the same path from east to west across our front yard. Our Ring doorbell catches the images of the deer walking the path during the day and night. They eat the grass, pears, and apples in our front yard.

This deer is under our pear tree. She stayed around it for quite a while and I enjoyed watching her find and eat food. She slowly walked away under the tall pine trees that are to her left and in front of her. 

A Reflection

This is one of my favorite pictures of Stillwater - a city about 25 minutes from where we live. 

It was a very calm day, so the St. Croix River was still. This made it a perfect day to capture a reflection of the north part of town in the river.

A Statue or Sculpture

This is a sculpture at Franconia Sculpture Park in Chisago County, Minnesota. I loved the wirework of this huge sculpture and how the sky and clouds could be seen through the wires. 

There are some permanent installations at Franconia Sculpture Park and others that change. So, no matter how often a person visits the park, there is always something new to see.

Extreme Weather

These were storm clouds that were moving in from the west in May 2008. This was a serious storm that did a lot of damage to the land (especially trees) as well as to homes, barns, and outbuildings. Although we have had strong storms since then, nothing compares to this storm. 

We felt very fortunate that the damage wasn't worse than it was. Although we needed a new roof and siding, we could have lost our entire home like many people did just 10-15 miles southwest of our home.

Happiness Scavenger Hunt #3

In December, I did Happiness Scavenger Hunt #1 and #2 on Swap-Bot. This is the third and final Scavenger Hunt in a series of three. The goal is to photograph something that fits each of these six categories. Something that: 

Reminds you of someone you love 

Whenever I see cardinals, it reminds me of my parents - both who have died (Dad in 2012 and Mom in 2015). These cardinals were at our home on January 6th - what would have been my Dad's 90th birthday. 

They - along with another pair - are frequent visitors at our feeders. They love the sunflower seeds. The cardinals lift my spirits with their expressions, beautiful color, and gentleness to one another and other birds.

Is useful to you

The Ninja blender is probably one of the most useful appliances in the kitchen. There are three containers - this large one, a medium one, and a smoothie size. I use it to make everything from smoothies to sauces to dicing vegetables.

You like to share with others

There are a lot of things that I like to share. One thing that is on our farm is a barn quilt that I helped my daughter paint. She designed the barn quilt and picked out the colors. I taped it and did much of the painting of it. It is visible from the road so that the public can see it.

I like to share my cooking and baking skills with others. When people see some of the things I make, they ask for the recipe, and I'm more than happy to share that so they can make the food at their home. This is an egg bake that I made for Sophia's 21st birthday.

Continuing on that theme, I recently shared my beverage-making skills with my family. We had strawberry daiquiris (some had rum for those who were legal age and others didn't if they were underage and/or didn't want to drink). 

The other thing this picture represents is sharing my time to create memories. We played Risk for 4 days as a family before Sophia left for her study abroad trip to Thailand. Sharing my time so we all could build memories with one another is important to me.

Another thing I like to share are my sewing skills. Over Christmas break, I helped Olivia with a pattern modification and pinning the inner part of a bag to the outer part of it. She's holding her almost-done bag that I pinned. 

Another way I share my sewing skills is by making things for others. Below are five quilts that I made using squares that my mom had cut but never had a chance to sew together before she died. Two of the quilts I made for my sister, one for Olivia, one for my niece, and one is leftover. My brother didn't want it because he has a lot of quilts. Sophia didn't want a second one (last year I gave her and Olivia a quilt that my mom started and didn't finish).

I also like to share my past experiences as they relate to my daughters and what they are doing. For example, Sophia was packing for a four-month study abroad program. Although I haven't done a study abroad program, I have traveled internationally - including twice to China. So, I spent time with her during the week prior to her departure going over what she needed, how to pack, and getting the items that would make her time in Thailand easier.

Tastes delicious

On New Year's Day, we had a Chinese meal. Even though it isn't the Chinese New Year (which is February 1st this year), we have Chinese food each New Year's Day. It started when Paige and I lived in San Francisco in the late early 1990s and we were looking for a restaurant that was open on New Year's Day. The Chinese ones were open, so we went to one. Thus, started the tradition. 

This year we were quarantining because the study abroad program asked students and families to quarantine before departure. Students needed to have a negative COVID test in order to go on international flights. So, I ordered a bunch of frozen Chinese food and sparkling apple cider. Although it wasn't the same as going out, it actually was delicious. We all said that we would want to get the food again.

Another thing that was delicious was the homemade cake and cake pops for Sophia's 21st birthday. The cake pops, in particular, turned out. They had chocolate cake mix, chocolate pudding mix, chocolate chips, some crushed Oreo cookies, and chocolate frosting. They were dipped in white chocolate and had chocolate drizzled across them. 

Is all your own

My friend, Karen, made this table runner for me. She has such an eye for fabric colors and patterns as well as thread colors. She knows I love plants and flowers, so this is the perfect table runner for me.

Gives you hope for the future

My daughters give me hope for the future. They are both service-oriented, compassionate, loving young women. When I look at what both of them have done and what they want to do in the future, I am encouraged and inspired by what they will do.  

This picture was taken at the airport on January 4th as Sophia waited in line to check in for her departure to Thailand. We will see her again on May 1st. 

Happiness Scavenger Hunt #2

Earlier in December, I did the Happiness Scavenger Hunt #1 on Swap-Bot. This is the second Scavenger Hunt in a series of three.

The goal is to photograph something that fits each of these six categories. Something that: 

You are thankful for - rain and snow. After a drought this summer and seeing the impact on the grass, flowers, shrubs, and trees, any type of moisture we get I'm thankful for. 

On December 3rd, there was rain and snow...kind of a sloppy mixture. There wasn't a lot, but there was enough for the ground to be wet and raindrops to cover leaves and drip off of tree branches.

I'm hoping that the plants and grass make it through the winter with whatever rain and snow falls.

Makes you laugh out loud 

For the past few years, we have tried to take a photo with the dogs and girls by the tree. When we had two dogs, things were a bit easier. With four dogs, it has become more challenging.

We all end up laughing as the dogs try to find a spot to sit and girls try to get them to face forward. The only one cooperating right away was Scooby. I think he just wanted to get the photo done.

After a good 20 pictures, we finally had one that turned out good enough. The girls and dogs all are facing forward, and the girls both are smiling. 

You use all the time

I use my sewing machine quite often. It's my favorite sewing machine even though it is very basic. I've had it since I lived in Charlotte, North Carolina, in the late 1980s.

Olivia is using to make a bag that she started on Christmas and finished on the 26th. 

Reminds you of a happy memory

On Christmas Eve, I made a maple twist coffeecake. This is a recipe that was from family friends of my parents and then one that my mom made around the holidays. They made the maple twist coffeecake on a traditional-size pizza pan. The one we had is much larger, so I made a double recipe. It took 4 hours to make - from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. The center coveted piece was large enough that there were 4 pieces...instead of the single one that a single batch makes. It reminds me of Christmas Eve growing up when my mom used to make this recipe.

For Christmas, we quarantined again this year. This time, however, it is because Sophia is leaving for a semester to study abroad in Thailand. She needs a negative COVID test before she leaves on January 4th. So, we are not taking any chances with the omicron variant. If she tests positive, then she cannot do the program. She would be devastated. 

Anyway, for Christmas, we had a simple meal - ham, baked potatoes, cornbread, Brussel sprouts, dressing, and fresh fruit. The tablecloth belonged to my parents, and the Advent wreath reminds of the one that they used to light each year (except the candles were purple and pink).

My mom always made a nice dinner for Christmas. However, she didn't make so much that we had a ton leftover (like I do for Thanksgiving). I put cloves in the ham like she did and also wrapped the baked potatoes in foil like she did.

After dinner, we went on a drive to Minneapolis (the Kenwood area) and wound our way to Edina. There were so many decorated and lit-up buildings and homes. This church - across from the Walker Art Center - was lit up. It reminded me of going to church when I was growing up - either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. 

Makes you feel safe

Fencing around our backyard makes me feel safe. On December 26th, two coyotes came through the west pasture, walked towards the barn, and stopped a couple of feet from the backyard by both cattle gates. The fence, though it may not seem strong, was enough to keep the coyotes out of the backyard. 

They both heard Cooper and Aspen (our two largest dogs) barking, which made them turn around and head back into the pasture. So, my dogs - all four of them - make me feel safe too. 

Sounds beautiful - On December 4th, we went to hear the Festival of Christmas at Bethel University. Sophia is in the handbell choir and it sounded so beautiful.

They played quite a few songs for about 30 minutes before the performance. 

The 90-minute Festival of Christmas was spectacular! There were three choirs, the handbell ensemble, the wind symphony, and the chamber orchestra. In total, there were over 220 student performers and musicians. 

Happiness Scavenger Hunt #1

There are three swaps on Swap-Bot that are all Happiness Scavenger Hunts. I thought it would be fun to do them since I enjoy photography and looking for things and people that make me happy is always a good thing. 

For the first Happiness Scavenger Hunt, there are six things to look for and photograph. Something that:

You think is beautiful - There are two things that I think are beautiful - one is outside and the other is inside. There was a beautiful sunset the other night. At the horizon, the sky was gold, magenta, pink, and orange. 

Higher in the sky, it was a pale lavender and shades of blue. 

Inside, there's a little Christmas village that is on our dining room bureau. Two of the buildings and some of the figurines belonged to my mom and dad. The set is the St. Nicholas Square collection that Kohls has carried for decades. When my parents died, I inherited the set. It was stored in the hobby shed when it wasn't Christmas. 

In May 2018, the hobby shed burned to the ground while we were away from the farm. I thought I had lost the Christmas village. I did, in fact, lose quite a few pieces. However, I was in the process of bringing holiday bins to the basement in January 2018 rather than putting things back in the hobby shed, and several pieces were saved because of this. 

At any rate, this year I was looking at thrift shops for St. Nicholas Square pieces and found a building (Sophia's Dance Theater) and the ice rink with movable figures. I also added a horse-drawn sled and tree that is for harvesting maple sap. 

So, this is what the little village looks like now. I like it because it reminds me of my parents and there are so many little details that make the scene a beautiful one.

Makes you smile - Sophia was home from college for Thanksgiving weekend. She makes me smile all the time. She was excited to do whatever we had planned which I enjoyed. We went to a small town event where different families and community groups decorated Christmas trees that will be up during December. The Lions were serving grilled brats and hot dogs, chips, cookies, and pop. We had a brat for lunch.

On the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, we went to another small town that had a Lighting Festival going on. A church was doing an Advent activity where you could make a wreath. Sophia sat right down and started assembling a wreath for our family. We each took a turn affixing the greenery to the tree slice. At home, there are five white candles that go in the drilled holes.

On Saturday afternoon, we went to a tree farm that is about two blocks from our home. She and Olivia wanted to hide in the trees from Paige. So, there she is hiding behind a tree smiling.

Is your favorite color - My favorite color is purple (I also like green...but I think purple is my top favorite color). The traditional dress that Olivia wore for one of her senior photos is purple. It was a dress that we purchased when we adopted her in 2003 at the age of 10 months. I'm so happy that this dress still fits her and that she has this special remembrance from the country where she was born. 

  

Smells amazing - On Thanksgiving, the whole house was full of the fragrance of spices and herbs. The table had all the food on it and smelled wonderful. There was pumpkin spice bread; applesauce with ginger and cinnamon; homemade dressing with herbs from our garden (sage, rosemary, and oregano), lemon curd, Brussel sprouts with maple syrup and bacon; turkey seasoned with herbs; and more. 

You love to wear - As the weather is getting colder, I am really liking this new coat that I got a couple of months ago. It's kind of a teal/green color, is puffy, and has a hood. It's been keeping me nice and warm on these cold days...sometimes too warm. So, it should be great once the weather dips below zero.

Feels good to touch - My dogs feel good to touch. The fur on each one has a different texture - from silky smooth to fluffy to coarse. It's comforting to have each of them sit or lay by me and to be able to pet them. 

This is a picture of Cooper. He is nine years old and has kind of coarse - yet soft - hair.

This is Scooby. He's 14 and has fluffy fur.

This is Aspen and Danny. Both have very smooth, silky fur. They are the softest ones out of all the dogs and the type of fur I like to touch the most.